Compare the2025 Toyota 4RunnerVS 2025 Mercedes GLC

The Toyota 4Runner has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLC doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 4Runner’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLC.

Both the 4Runner and the GLC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the 4Runner 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLC. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the GLC ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4Runner for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the GLC.

There are over 3 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 4Runner’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 71 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 21st.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 29th.

The 4Runner’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 23 more horsepower (278 vs. 255) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 295) than the GLC 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The 4Runner’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 13 more horsepower (326 vs. 313) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 406) than the GLC 350e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota 4Runner uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GLC requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The 4Runner has 6.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLC 350e’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 12.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 4Runner has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLC’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 16.4 gallons).

For better traction, the 4Runner has larger tires than the GLC (265/70R17 vs. 235/60R18). The 4Runner SR5’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLC (265/70R17 vs. 255/45R20).

The Toyota 4Runner’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes GLC only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The 4Runner has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the GLC; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The GLC doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 4Runner offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The GLC’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 4Runner is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GLC.

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GLC (10.1 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The 4Runner offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the GLC can only carry 5.

The 4Runner has 1.1 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the GLC.

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLC.

The 4Runner’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The GLC’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the GLC’s (6000 vs. 3500 pounds).

A Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is standard on the 4Runner, using the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the GLC.

The 4Runner’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The GLC does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Toyota 4Runner outsold the Mercedes GLC by almost three to one during 2023.